Top 10: Classic TV Cars

Many popular TV shows of the '60s, '70s, '80s, and even '90s were complemented by a signature vehicle that made a lasting impression on audiences. Superbly modified and designed to be wacky variations of production-level automobiles, these cars made a lasting impression on TV audiences.

In order for a car to make our list, it must have appeared in a majority of the show's episodes, made enough waves to be considered a character in itself and, finally, it must have been popular enough that men dreamed of owning it.

With this in mind, we whittled down the list to 10 fine classic TV cars. Enjoy.

Number 10

Herbie - The Love Bug

Originally, this VW Beetle rose to popularity in 1969 as the centerpiece of the Disney film The Love Bug . The bug, which could "feel" and think for itself, came back in two follow-up movies, as well as a five-episode comedy series, Herbie, the Love Bug (1982), and a 1997 remake of the original.

Whatever version you preferred, there was one constant: the vintage racing Beetle, replete with racing stripes, doors that opened by themselves, and a sunroof, gears and pedals that were placed in the backseat. Instantly recognizable with its number 53 painted on the hood and doors, Herbie looked just as much like a fun toy as it did a real racecar.

Cool fact: The original Love Bug resides at the Cars of the Stars Museum in Keswick, England.

Number 9

The Flintmobile - The Flinstones

Perhaps men didn't dream of owning this gem, but kids certainly did. As a child, glued to the television set, who didn't love seeing good ol' Fred Flintstone hop into his car and push off, using his feet to accelerate? The classic Flintstones car often appeared in the cartoon, demonstrating yet another way the show's creators put modern inventions into a prehistoric context. A simple, open-air vehicle with a canopy, two rows of seats, a steering wheel, and little else in the way of features, the Flintmobile is the prime Stone Age ride.

This car is instantly recognizable by everyone — fans and non-fans alike — as a product of the long-running cartoon. Who doesn't remember it almost being flipped over by a huge dinosaur rib during the show's opening frames?

Cool fact: The cartoon Flintmobile's license plate was XYZ 643, not YABADO as it was in 1994's The Flintstones movie.

Number 8

Black Beauty - The Green Hornet

A 1966 Chrysler Imperial, this sleek ride served as both a mode of transportation and an arsenal for TV hero The Green Hornet and his sidekick, Kato. Painted all black and boasting a signature grille in the front, the Imperial was severely modified to suit the needs of an action hero: guns that shot out oil and smoke were placed in the front and rear, rocket launchers were installed and extra space was created in the trunk for the "Hornet scanner," an oft-used tool in the 26-episode TV series.

This classic action series, in which Bruce Lee made his TV debut playing Kato, really made an impression with the Black Beauty Chrysler Imperial — a car that saw limited production but high demand following the cancellation of The Green Hornet .

Cool fact: There were actually two Black Beauties, and they appeared together in the episode "Corpse of the Year."